The state's jobless rate rose to 8.8 percent, from 8.7 percent in May as the number of people with jobs fell, according to figures released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It's the first time that the unemployment rate has risen in Mississippi since hitting its post-recession peak of 10.9 percent in July 2011. A year ago in June, the state's jobless rate was 10.8 percent.

The number of unemployed Mississippians rose to 118,200 from 116,500 in May, well below 145,500 from a year ago.

A separate survey of employer payrolls shows the number of nonfarm employees in the state fell during the month and was also below its June 2011 level.

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